Noblesville teacher gets tentative jury trial date
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) – A jury trial has tentatively been set for March for a local choir teacher accused of having sexual relationships with two of his students.
24-Hour News 8 was inside Michael Douce’s initial hearing Wednesday afternoon.
Michael Douce and his attorney declined to comment. However, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Andre Miksha said the charges speak for themselves.
“He was formally advised of his rights and advised of the charges, that sort of thing. Provided his initial dates,” said Miksha.
The felony charges against former Noblesville High School Choir Teacher Michael Douce range from child seduction and exploitation to burglary, there are also two misdemeanor charges.
According to court documents, Douce had allegedly been having sex with two female students, at his home when his wife was away and on school grounds, after hours.
Detectives say they located explicit pictures and texts on students’ phones. One female student even told detectives that she and Douce were in love.
Douce was terminated by the school system following a warrant being issued for his arrest.He turned himself in to authorities on Jan. 8.
“Just a reminder that our charges are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until we prove him guilty,” said Miksha.
A pretrial hearing is currently set for mid February that could change, but for now Douce will remain out on his previously posted bond.
![Use Search Bars Above To Search Crime Data](https://wishtv.com/wp-content/themes/wishtv-2022/assets/img/crime_map_s.png)